Best PMP Prep Courses (2025): PMTraining vs. Brain Sensei vs. PMA

The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is the gold standard for project managers. It proves you know your stuff—Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid methodologies. But getting those three letters after your name isn’t easy.

First, you need 35 Contact Hours of project management education just to apply for the exam. Then, you have to pass a grueling 180-question test that covers everything from conflict resolution to procurement strategy.

The difference between passing on your first try and retaking the exam often comes down to your prep course. We’ve analyzed the top providers for 2025 to help you choose the right one.

Quick Comparison: The 2025 Landscape

1. PMTraining

The Best Live Online Training

If you want the structure of a live classroom without the travel, PMTraining is the industry leader. They are a Premier Authorized Training Partner (ATP) of PMI, which means their curriculum is vetted and approved directly by the organization that creates the exam.

Why It Wins

PMTraining strikes the perfect balance between quality and price. Their live classes are taught by veteran instructors who don’t just read slides—they engage you.

• Flexibility: They offer evening and weekend classes, making it easy to fit into a work schedule.
• The Portal: You get access to a robust student portal with over 1,000 practice questions and mock exams.

Pros:

• Live Instruction: Real-time interaction with expert instructors.
• Value: significantly cheaper than other live bootcamps like PMA.
• Guarantee: They offer a money-back guarantee if you don’t pass.

Cons:

• Pacing: Live classes move fast; if you miss a session, you have to catch up via recording.

Read our full PMTraining Review

2. Brain Sensei

The “Anti-Boring” PMP Course

Let’s face it: The PMBOK® Guide is dry. Brain Sensei decided to fix that by turning PMP prep into an animated story.

The Samurai Story

Instead of watching a lecturer stand in front of a whiteboard, you follow the story of a Samurai in feudal Japan who is trying to manage a project.

• Engagement: The unique storytelling approach helps concepts stick better than rote memorization.
• Gamification: The course is interactive, with quizzes and challenges that keep you awake.

Pros:

• Fun Factor: It is genuinely different from every other course on the market.
• Self-Paced: You can study whenever you want.
• Price: Much more affordable than live bootcamps.

Cons:

• Style: The animated style isn’t for everyone. If you prefer a traditional academic approach, this might feel too casual.

Read our full Brain Sensei Review

3. Project Management Academy (PMA)

The Premium Bootcamp Experience

If your company is paying, or if you absolutely must pass in the next two weeks, Project Management Academy is the heavy hitter. They are famous for their intense 4-day bootcamps.

The “100% Pass Guarantee”

PMA is so confident in their method that they offer a 100% money-back pass guarantee. They claim a 99% pass rate for their students.

• Resources: You get a massive amount of study materials, cheat sheets, and flashcards.
• Post-Class Support: The support doesn’t end when the bootcamp ends; you get access to tutoring and refresher courses.

Pros:

• Speed: Get your 35 contact hours done in 4 days.
• Reputation: Highly respected in the corporate world.

Cons:

• Cost: It is one of the most expensive options on the market (often $2,000+).

Read our full Project Management Academy Review

4. PM PrepCast

The Best Exam Simulator

Cornelius Fichtner’s PM PrepCast is legendary in the PMP community, primarily for its Exam Simulator. Many students take a cheap course for the 35 hours and then buy the PrepCast Simulator to actually learn how to pass the test.

The Simulator

The questions in the PrepCast simulator are widely considered to be the closest to the actual PMP exam in terms of difficulty and style.

• Explanations: Every question comes with a detailed explanation of why the right answer is right and why the wrong answers are wrong.

Pros:

• Realism: It feels just like the real exam.
• Price: Very affordable if you just need the simulator.

Cons:

• Video Course: The video course is comprehensive but can be a bit dry compared to Brain Sensei.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

• The Best All-Rounder: PMTraining. It offers the best mix of live instruction, quality materials, and fair pricing.
• The Visual/Fun Learner: Brain Sensei. If you fall asleep reading textbooks, the Samurai story will save you.
• The Corporate/Rush Learner: Project Management Academy. If you have the budget and need it done now, their bootcamp is the way to go.
• The Budget/Self-Study Pro: PM PrepCast. Pair their simulator with a cheap Udemy course for the most cost-effective path to PMP.